Al Roker and Alison Sweeney team up to host 124th Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, 2013

by jmaloni

Mon, Dec 10th 2012 07:00 pm

NBC
continues its 86-year tradition of broadcasting popular international
event

Al
Roker, the weatherman and feature reporter for NBC's "Today,"
and Alison Sweeney, the host of "The Biggest Loser" and one of
the stars of "Days of our Lives," will co-host NBC's live,
high-definition coverage of the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade
from Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 1 (11:30 a.m.), 2013*

This
will be Roker's 16th
year hosting the popular annual event, and the first year for
Sweeney. NBC has been broadcasting the New Year's Day parade for 86
years, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the event
beginning in 1954.

The
theme for this year's parade is "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"
It's the title of the popular Dr. Seuss book. Jane Goodall, the world
renowned primatologist, animal welfare advocate, UN Messenger of
Peace and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, will be this year's
grand marshal. The parade will feature 42 lavish floral floats, 21
high-stepping equestrian teams and 23 marching bands from as far away
as Japan. This year's Rose Queen and her court will also appear,
along with special guests on spectacular floats.

"The
Tournament of Roses Parade" is the most popular New Year's Day
celebration in the world. The lively event kicks off 2013 with
colorful floats such as Disneyland Resort's "Destination Cars
Land," saluting the newest attraction at Disney California
Adventure Park, Honda's "Follow Your Dreams" entry, celebrating
childlike imagination, and a heartwarming "Canines with Courage"
salute to our four-legged heroes - military working dogs - from
Natural Balance Pet Foods. Viewers will also see a special float
honoring this nation's caregivers, which is funded, decorated and
ridden by nurses, a Kaiser permanente "Cat in the Hat" float
themed "Oh, the Healthy Things You Can Do!"and an inaugural float
from Delta Sigma Theta, the world's largest African-American
Greek-lettered sorority, as they kick off their centennial
celebration.

The
Pasadena police department estimates that at least 1 million
spectators will line the five-and-a-half mile parade route. Tens of
millions of people worldwide watch the telecast every year.

*Many
affiliates will also broadcast NBC's optional coverage of the
parade from 11 to 11:30 a.m.